What other biblical instances highlight the significance of purification before encountering God? Encounter at Sinai: Purity Before Presence “Be prepared for the third day; do not draw near a woman.” (Exodus 19:15) • Israel washed their clothes and practiced marital abstinence to meet God. • The literal command underscored that a holy God requires a holy people. Joshua at the Jordan: Consecrate for Wonders “Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.’” (Joshua 3:5) • Before the Jordan parted, every Israelite personally set himself apart. • God’s mighty act followed their deliberate purification. Levitical Washings: Clean Hands for Holy Service • Bronze Basin—“Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die.” (Exodus 30:20) • Day of Atonement—“He is to bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his garments.” (Leviticus 16:24) • Continuous pattern: wash, sacrifice, then approach. Samuel at Bethlehem: Purify Before Sacrifice “Samuel replied, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me.’” (1 Samuel 16:5) • Even a simple village sacrifice began with personal consecration. Hezekiah’s Revival: Temple and People Cleansed “The priests went into the inner sanctuary of the LORD to cleanse it… Then they went in to King Hezekiah and said, ‘We have cleansed the whole house of the LORD.’” (2 Chronicles 29:16–18) • National renewal started with priestly purification, resumed worship. Psalms: Moral Purity to Ascend the Hill “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” (Psalm 24:3–4) • External washings point to inner cleanliness God truly seeks. Isaiah’s Vision: Coal for Cleansing “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away and your sin is atoned for.” (Isaiah 6:7) • Even a prophet needed purification before receiving commission. New Covenant Fulfillment: Christ Washes the Heart • Foot-washing—“The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean.” (John 13:10) • “Let us draw near with a sincere heart… having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience.” (Hebrews 10:22) • “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14) Key Threads to Notice • God reveals Himself after purification—never before. • External rituals teach the necessity of inward holiness. • From Sinai to Revelation, Scripture consistently ties purity to divine encounter. |
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